Life before this podcast consisted of a variety of hobbies and academic pursuits all related to media in some way. Once I started here at Kibble, and after I’d spent a couple of months familiarising myself with social enterprise, the first thing I did was look for media companies which operated as social enterprises. I was disheartened to find so little.

In my mind social enterprise and media production are a perfect fit – media is a huge part of our daily lives and we consume it every day. It is an industry which will continue to grow due to the ever expanding reach of the internet and smartphones. Surely there is scope for more businesses in the media industry to use the tremendous potential and resources available, both in terms of profit and reach, to drive social change?

Yet they are few and far between.

On this episode I speak with Louisa Taylor from Fablevision Studios, the commercial arm of the Fablevision charity. Like any other media company, Fablevision Studios offer professional video production, media training events management as well as branding and graphic design at an affordable rate. Yet, unlike most media companies they work with long-term unemployed people, allowing them to gain value experience in one of the most competitive industries in the world, with a view to helping them gain employment in the media sector.

Highlights include:

How Lousia became involved in Fablevision Studios

The importance of employability projects

Helping long-term umemployed people into the media industry

The social impact of Fablevision and how they measure it

The success of Fablevision

Some of the challenges the business has faced

The importance of social enterprise

And more

Many people have passion for media, yet getting experience in the industry is harder than people realise. Combining employability projects with hands on experience in the industry is a great way for the long-term unemployed to gain employment in a tough industry, and allow their creativity to flourish. Ultimately the hope is that unleashing creativity can lead to a fulfilling career. We shouldn’t underestimate the power creativity can have on the confidence of individuals, and this is particularly pertinent to the long-term unemployed who may find that their confidence has diminished as a result of unemployment.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

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Podcast developer at Kibble. You’ll usually find me online tweeting about social enterprise, child and youth care or third sector issues, in the office huddled over a microphone, or at home listening to Prince. Always ask questions, learn new things and be positive.